Head of Estates Finance

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

The Role

Reporting to the Director of Estates, with a strong functional relationship to the Finance Director, the Head of Estates Finance will provide strategic financial leadership across the University's operational and non-operational estate portfolios.

A key member of the Estates Division Senior Leadership Team, you will lead the delivery and transformation of the Division's finance function, ensuring the provision of high-quality financial business partnering, governance, planning, reporting and investment appraisal services. You will play a pivotal role in supporting strategic decision making, major capital investments and long-term estate planning, while ensuring robust financial stewardship across a diverse and complex property portfolio.

You will work closely with senior University leaders, governance bodies and external stakeholders, providing expert advice on financial performance, investment opportunities, risk and commercial strategy. The role also has responsibility for financial oversight of major development programmes, Estates Division subsidiaries and the University's Shared Equity Scheme.

Key responsibilities include: 

• Leading and developing the Estates Division finance function and finance business partnering service
• Providing strategic financial leadership to the Estates Division Senior Leadership Team, Property Board and University committees
• Leading financial planning, budgeting, forecasting and performance analysis across the operational and non-operational estate
• Overseeing financial governance, risk management, internal controls and compliance frameworks
• Supporting major investment decisions through business case development, financial modelling and investment appraisal
• Providing financial oversight of the Strategic Estates Capital Plan and long-term capital investment programme
• Managing reporting and financial performance across a portfolio of significant estate assets and development projects
• Leading the financial and operational management of the University's Shared Equity Scheme
• Driving continuous improvement and transformation of finance services and processes
• Acting as a trusted adviser to senior stakeholders on commercial, financial and strategic matters

About You

You will be an accomplished senior finance leader with significant experience operating within a large, complex organisation and a proven ability to influence strategic decision making at executive level.

You will combine strong technical financial expertise with commercial awareness, leadership capability and exceptional stakeholder management skills. Comfortable operating in a highly collaborative environment, you will have the credibility to work effectively with senior leaders, governance bodies and external partners.

We are particularly interested in candidates who can demonstrate:

• A recognised accountancy qualification
• Significant senior financial management experience in a complex public or private sector organisation
• Experience leading high-performing finance teams and delivering organisational change
• Strong expertise in financial planning, reporting, governance and risk management
• Experience supporting major investment programmes, capital projects or large-scale business cases
• Excellent communication, influencing and relationship-building skills
• Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving capability
• The ability to translate complex financial information into clear, practical advice for senior stakeholders

Experience within property, estates, infrastructure, development or capital-intensive environments would be advantageous.

How to apply

Applications must include a CV and a covering letter.

The closing date for applications is midnight on Tuesday 15 September 2026.

Interviews are expected to take place either in late September 2026 or early October 2026.

Informal enquiries regarding this position can be made to: Estates Division Recruitment (EDR@admin.cam.ac.uk)

If you have any queries about the recruitment process, please contact Rachel Hughes, Recruitment Adviser, Senior Professional Appointments (Rachel.Hughes@admin.cam.ac.uk)

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